I plan to leave my mark on the baseball world; this is where it all begins.

Spring Training Adventures: Twins vs Red Sox 3/6/2010

I think that I’ve developed a new mantra for the Spring, and maybe a new mantra for life in general: It’s not my fault if it’s open. With the kind of industry that I want to go into, you have to be a little gutsy, and you can’t take no for an answer. “Authorized personnel only”? Please, that term is subjective. If a door is open, I’m going to walk through it. If a fence is half open and half closed, I’m going to sneak through it. And if it’s closed, then I’m going to climb over it. If I can find a way to “trespass”, then I deserve to! (I do respect boundaries though, especially baseball boundaries. I know how sacred this game is).

You could not have asked for better baseball weather than the kind of weather that was at City of Palms Park. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and the sun was shining amidst a cool breeze: it was perfect.

As many of you know, I typically have quite the agenda for Spring Training games: arrive when the gates open, collect autographs until the game starts, and then not moving until the game is over. This time was no exception, it’s just that the agenda was a little bit different this time. Instead of going to get autographs, I went to the players’ development complex again to interview one of the Red Sox’s top outfield prospects, Ryan Westmoreland. Little did I know that they had early morning physicals, so I ended up missing him. That’s OK though, there is always next weekend.

Walking around the empty players’ development complex was a cool experience itself. It was a ghost town. It was a completely different atmosphere compared to the weekend before. Walking around reminded me of this scene from my favorite book, Shoeless Joe. Archie Gram, J.D. Salinger and Ray Kinsella all decide to head down to the empty Minnesota ballpark. I know that this players’ development complex isn’t exactly a ballpark, but there are still five baseball fields and bleachers.

There was something “both eerie and holy” walking around the empty fields. It was “more like a church than a church.” Baseball is a sacred entity to me, and I had its synagogue all to myself. The orange dirt on the field and the green of the grass were especially brilliant. The empty complex was like “the inside of a pyramid”. I was “an archeologist exploring new territory.” There was an audible silence without the fans. I could hear the wind whistling, and I could hear the grass against my shoes. I finally felt it: “the thrill of the grass”

No players were in sight, but I went into the office area just in case. Guess who I saw again? Sarge! The same guy who was there when I snuck into both clubhouses the week before. He remembered me and we had a nice chat. I swear that guy is either going to be putting me in jail or bailing me out. Before we left, I ran into the international scouting coordinator, Fernando Tamayo. I talked to him for a bit, and told him about my whole project program. The funniest part was that he actually graduated from my high school. I guess it is a small world.

We arrived at the game about 45 minutes before the first pitch, so I really had no chance to get autographs. I didn’t have my spot, and I was too far away from the players who were stretching. It’s always nice to watch them warm up though, and it was really cool to see John Lackey walk out to warm up for the first time in a Red Sox uniform.

We had seats down the right field line, so we could see into the Red Sox dugout. It was a little bit hard to see home plate, so judging whether the ball was a breaking ball or a slider was harder than usual. It was a fantastic ball game though.

John Lackey’s first pitch in a Red Sox uniform was a strike. His outing was certainly the best of all the starters so far this spring. He already had that game day mentality. I had noticed with some of the other starters like Beckett and Lester so far this spring that they took a little while to get back into that kind of midseason mentality, and I think that’s okay. We should not be overanalyzing their every pitch. These are practice games for them: they are trying out new pitches and new techniques, and they aren’t going to be perfect.

Nevertheless, Lackey was very impressive in his Grapefruit League and Red Sox debut. Obviously, he is focusing on remaining healthy throughout the Spring to be ready for Opening Day since he has had some problems with that in the past. He got ahead in the count for the most part, and even if he was behind in the count he didn’t have any problems.

Michael Bowden, who is competing for a spot in the bullpen, pitched after Lackey. Bowden has definitely realized that if he wants to make the Major League roster, he’ll have to be a relief pitcher for the time being, and I think that he has become more open to that. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: he could have the Justin Masterson role of this year, and Masterson’s versatility was a very important component for the Red Sox. Bowden pitched well from the stretch, and overall he had a real nice outing. Manny Delcarmen followed, and he also pitched well.

Then it was Brian Shouse’s turn. He has the submarine sidearm delivery, and not much velocity. He got into some trouble, but managed to escape with one unearned run.

Joe Nelson got racked a little bit. He’ll always have my respect though for the Vulcan pitch. Yes, Vulcan as in Star Trek. I was never a true Trekkie, I’ve always been a diehard Star Wars fanatic, but Star Trek is still legit. Nelson may have the Vulcan grip, but he did not have the Vulcan mentality. Vulcans do not have feelings, they are all about making the logical choice. It looked like Nelson was getting a little mental because he was getting hit (he also had a wild pitch), but if he can master the Vulcan mentality in the same way that he’s mastered the Vulcan grip, then I think he will certainly be able to live long and prosper.

Junichi Tazawa was the final pitcher of the day. I absolutely love his delivery, and he worked well even when he was behind in the count. Some of you may remember him from Spring Training last year, but if not, he is definitely a guy to keep your eye on.

Many of you know that I have a bit of a problem with calling grown men who are twice my height ‘babies’. This mainly applies to the minor league prospects, but it’s not like I mean it as an insult; coming from me, it’s the highest of compliments. The game I was at was a split squad game (there was another game going on in Port Charlotte against the Rays), so I was lucky enough to see some guys from the minor leagues who were called up for the day. Babies? Zygotes? Embryos? Projects of the future? I’m not sure yet, but I certainly enjoyed watching them play. These guys were Jeremy Hazelbaker, Matt Sheely, Nate Spears, and Jason Place.

In his first at-bat of the Spring, Jeremy Hazelbaker was walked, and he did a nice job in right field. I was also really impressed with Matt Sheely’s arm, and his and Nate Spears’ speed. Since these guys aren’t technically non-roster invitees, they don’t really have a chance to consistently impress just quite yet. But mark my words, some of these guys will be back next year as non-roster invitees, or even on the 40-man roster next spring.

Here are some other things that I noticed from the batters: Bill Hall has a really wide stance, and he needs some more plate discipline. Gil Velazquez has been doing well in clutch situations, and he is a great baserunner and utility infielder. Angel Sanchez has a nice drag bunt technique that I would like to see more of this spring. I really liked Tug Hulett’s aggressiveness at the plate when he pounced on the first pitch he saw of the Spring and launched it over the right field wall for a three run homer. The Red Sox have been batting Mike Cameron at the top of the lineup in his two games, so I’m wondering where he is going to bat when the regular season comes around.

One person I have been especially impressed with in Spring Training is catching prospect Luis Exposito. He made this incredible catch right by the Red Sox dugout, and he also has a really nice arm for throwing runners out at second (even though he didn’t get the opportunity to do so this game). When he hits the ball, he makes solid contact. I watched him during batting practice last Saturday, and he was belting the ball over the fence and into the other field. He is even a pretty good baserunner, so he has it all!

I was really glad that I had found the notebook I was taking notes in because it was the same notebook that I had taken notes at the Portland Sea Dogs game that I had attended over the summer. Here are some more notes on some of the players you’re seeing in Spring Training:

-Adam Mills was the starter. He didn’t have that much speed… his fastball clocked out mid to upper eighties. What I really liked about him though was that he worked quickly and he let his defense do the work. He has quick innings.

-At the game I was at, Ryan Kalish had actually reached base in 18 straight games. He hit a two run homer at the game, and I noticed some serious power.

-Even Matt Sheely was at the game as a pinch hitter, and he demonstrated some good speed.

A couple of other notes from the first week of Spring Training: First of all, I don’t think that we can get to hyped up over the numbers. We have to remember that these numbers don’t count and that these are practice games. Everyone is easing back into the baseball mentality so that they can be ready for Opening Day. Pitchers are working on adding a new pitch to their arsenal, and batters might be trying out new stances.

I have been really impressed by Josh Reddick, and pitchers Casey Kelly, Kyle Weiland, and Felix Doubront. We have plenty of more Spring Training games coming our way, and I’ll be back at City of Palms Park next Saturday.

18 Comments

Looks like you have been having a great time so far this spring! I don’t think I would have the nerves to walk through a door even if it was left open. Though I guess the worst that can happen is you’ll be asked to leave, so why not give it a shot? Looking forward to your next coverage!
SueRants, Raves, and Random Thoughts

Elizabeth!
Wonderful report as always!
Congratulations on being on the front page of the MLBlogs! Woohoo! so happy for you!
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I got back from AZ last night and I am at work so I have not had a chance to upload pictues but three that I posted.
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Emmahttp://crzblue.mlblogs.com/http://DodgersBlueBlog.com/

Thats some good blogging!! I wish I could make it for spring training. I’m a Jays fan and Blogger who has always had a soft spot for the Red Sox. I say good luck to the Sox and please don’t beat up my Jays too much LOL

Elizabeth… congrats on being the STAR blog on the front of the blogs website…. as always your reporting on ST is outstanding… I love it that you are as much into the ST days as the regular season… great stuff..
~peter
Outside the Phillies Looking Inhttp://devilabrit.mlblogs.com

Great report as always, Elizabeth. Your writing just keeps getting better and better. I love your take-no-prisoners approach to getting into places others might not have the nerve to explore. Good for you!

I stumbled across your blog (since you are currently on the main page) and I read this entry. Such amazing and electrifying prose! Quality syntax. No typos. Well done! And since I too have questionable respect for boundaries, I read your profile and want to encourage you to cling to that mindset that Baseball is the most important thing in life (aside from loved ones). Money, prestige, to some extent education, are all transitory and unfulfilling (I will take writing off this list … as a poet, I tend to believe writing resolves self aggrandizement issues that all writers bear to some degree). If it wasn’t for my wife turning me back onto baseball … I might not be alive. But that’s uber personal drama and another story for another day.

Your writing is remarkable and I’m going to check in once in awhile and hope you don’t mind if I add you to my blog roll. I follow the Red Sox because of my wife’s love for them, but your coverage and opinions rival the most seasoned beat writer. I would encourage you (if writing is something you enjoy) to continue to develop your skill. I assure you I seldom give such praise. I look forward to enjoying subsequent entries.

Great Job Elizabeth. I’m really enjoying your spring training adventures. Congrats on improving the home page🙂. Keep up the great work down there..Those of us who have to stay home this spring training are glad you’re representing…Dhttp://baseballsnatcher.mlblogs.com/

One word for this… Awesome! What a great blog!! keep doing what your doing! I am from Colorado and a huge Rockies fan but the Sox have always been number 2. I have family in Boston, love going to Fenway it’s just hard to put in words the experiences I have had there. So excited for the Sox to come to Denver in late June! If you ever get the chance to go to Coors Field, if you have not been already, do it. It’s a great ballpark!

You are like my ultimate role model- You’re a Red Sox fan && you can write…amazing(: you are so lucky to be able to experience the whole Spring Training experience, I’m so jealous. Good luck in the future…=D

i enjoyed the pics on fb. glad it was a competitive game. i really didnt get a chance to pay attention to too much baseball this weekend. had to work, study, write y stuff for wvu baseball and watch our basketball team win the big east title!http://pittpeas.mlblogs.com

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